Portable uv-c disinfection apparatus, method, and system

ABSTRACT

A portable UV-C disinfection apparatus, method, and system for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. UV-C emitters may be coupled to an array housing having a planar array surface in a vertical configuration. UV-C sensors are configured to measure the amount of UV-C light or near UV-C light from a target surface. A controller may be communicably engaged with the UV-C sensors to determine the amount of UV-C radiation collected by the UV-C sensors. The controller includes instructions stored on a memory according to the amount of UV-C radiation collected corresponding to an effective kill-dose for surface disinfection. The improved apparatus, method, and system reduces exposure time by varying the intensity and wavelength of the UV-C administered, while concurrently reducing UV overexposure to surfaces by administering radiation through a rotational zonal application.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/814,166, filed on Mar. 10, 2020 entitled “PORTABLE UV-CDISINFECTION APPARATUS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/869,444,filed on Jan. 12, 2018 entitled “PORTABLE UV-C DISINFECTION APPARATUS,METHOD, AND SYSTEM”, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/445,408, filed on Jan. 12, 2017 entitled“PORTABLE UV-C DISINFECTION APPARATUS, METHOD, AND SYSTEM”, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety at least byreference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and devices for bacterial,fungal and/or viral sterilization and disinfection, and is moreparticularly directed to a portable UV-C disinfection apparatus andsystem for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method thatuses short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light to kill or inactivatemicroorganisms. One mechanism by which UV-C deactivates microorganismsis by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving themunable to perform vital cellular functions. The administration of UV-Cradiation is becoming widely adopted by many hospitals as a moreeffective and reliable means of surface disinfection, as compared to theuse of chemical cleaning agents alone. The effectiveness of germicidalUV-C irradiation depends on factors such as the length of time amicroorganism is exposed to UV-C, the intensity and wavelength of theUV-C radiation, the presence of particles that can protect themicroorganisms from UV, and a microorganism's ability to withstand UV-Cduring its exposure. In air and surface disinfection applications, theUV effectiveness is estimated by calculating the UV dose to be deliveredto the microbial population. A method of calculating UV dose is asfollows: UV dose μWs/cm²=UV intensity μW/cm²×Exposure time (seconds).

Germicidal UV for disinfection is most typically generated by amercury-vapor lamp. Low-pressure mercury vapor has a strong emissionline at 254 nm, which is within the range of wavelengths thatdemonstrate strong disinfection effect. The optimal wavelengths fordisinfection are close to 265 nm. UV-C LEDs use semiconductors to emitlight between 255 nm-280 nm. The wavelength emission is tunable byadjusting the material of the semiconductor. The use of LEDs which emita wavelength more precisely tuned to the maximal germicidal wavelengthresults in greater microbe deactivation per amp of power, maximizationof microbial deactivation for the available, less ozone production, andless materials degradation. Although the germicidal properties ofultraviolet (UV) light have long been known, it is only comparativelyrecently that the antimicrobial properties of visible violet-blue 405 nmlight have been discovered and used for environmental disinfection andinfection control applications. A large body of scientific evidence isnow available that provides underpinning knowledge of the 405 nmlight-induced photodynamic inactivation process involved in thedestruction of a wide range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbialspecies, including resistant forms such as bacterial and fungal spores.Violet-blue light, particularly 405 nm light, has significantantimicrobial properties against a wide range of bacterial and fungalpathogens and, although germicidal efficacy is lower than UV light, thislimitation is offset by its facility for safe, continuous use inoccupied environments.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of theinvention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

An object of the present disclosure is a portable UV-C disinfectionapparatus comprising an array housing having a substantially planararray surface; a plurality of UV-C emitters coupled to the substantiallyplanar array surface, the plurality of UV-C emitters being coupled tothe substantially planar array surface in a substantially verticalconfiguration in relation to each other; at least one UV-C sensorcoupled to the substantially planar array surface; at least oneorientation sensor coupled to the array housing; a base housing, thebase housing defining an interior portion; a motor being housed in theinterior portion of the base housing, the array housing being coupled toa shaft of the motor at a bottom portion of the array housing; acontroller being housed in the base housing, the controller beingoperably engaged with the motor, the at least one orientation sensor,the plurality of UV-C emitters, and the at least one UV-C sensor; and, abattery pack being housed in the base housing, the battery pack beingoperably engaged with the motor, the controller, the plurality of UV-Cemitters, and the at least one UV-C sensor.

Another object of the present disclosure is a method for roomdisinfection using UV-C radiation comprising delivering, with a planararray of UV-C emitters, a beam of UV-C radiation to a first zone of aroom; receiving, with at least one UV-C sensor, an amount of UV energyreflected from the first zone of the room; measuring, with a processor,a UV energy threshold for the at least one UV-C sensor; rotating, withan electric motor, the planar array of UV-C emitters to a second zone ofthe room in response to satisfying a UV energy threshold received by theat least one UV-C sensor; delivering, with the planar array of UV-Cemitters, a beam of UV-C radiation to the second zone of the room;receiving, with the least one UV-C sensor, an amount of UV energyreflected from the second zone of the room; measuring, with theprocessor, a UV energy threshold in the second zone for the at least oneUV-C sensor; rotating, with the electric motor, the planar array of UV-Cemitters to an N^(th) zone of the room in response to satisfying a UVenergy threshold received by the at least one UV-C sensor.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is a system for roomdisinfection using UV-C radiation comprising at least one portable UV-Cdisinfection apparatus, the at least one portable UV-C disinfectionapparatus comprising an array housing having a substantially planararray surface; a plurality of UV-C emitters coupled to the substantiallyplanar array surface, the plurality of UV-C emitters being coupled tothe substantially planar array surface in a substantially verticalconfiguration in relation to each other; at least one UV-C sensorcoupled to the substantially planar array surface; at least oneorientation sensor coupled to the array housing; a base housing, thebase housing defining an interior portion; a motor being housed in theinterior portion of the base housing, the array housing being coupled toa shaft of the motor at a bottom portion of the array housing; acontroller being housed in the base housing, the controller beingoperably engaged with the motor, the at least one orientation sensor,the plurality of UV-C emitters, and the at least one UV-C sensor; abattery pack being housed in the base housing, the battery pack beingoperably engaged with the motor, the controller, the plurality of UV-Cemitters, and the at least one UV-C sensor; a remote interface, thesystem interface being communicably engaged with the controller of theat least one portable UV-C disinfection apparatus; and, a database, thedatabase being communicably engaged with the controller of the at leastone portable UV-C disinfection apparatus and the system interface.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide for a germicidaldisinfection apparatus comprising a housing assembly comprising a basehousing and an array housing; a motor being housed in the base housingand configured to rotate the array housing from at least one firstorientation to at least one second orientation; a plurality of emitterscomprising an array and being housed in the array housing, the pluralityof emitters comprising at least one first emitter configured to emitultraviolet light at a wavelength between 100 to 280 nanometers; atleast one second emitter configured to emit visible light at awavelength between 400 and 410 nanometers; a controller being operablyengaged with the plurality of emitters to modulate a duty cycle of theat least one first emitter and the at least one second emitter; whereinthe controller comprises at least one processor and at least onenon-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions storedthereon that, when executed, cause the processor to perform one or moreoperations, the one or more operations comprising modulating a dutycycle of the at least one first emitter; modulating a duty cycle of theat least one second emitter; and modulating a pulse width of the atleast one first emitter and the at least one second emitter such thatthe at least one first emitter and the at least one second emitter areconfigured to pulse emissions of ultraviolet light and visible light,respectively, in phase or out of phase.

In certain embodiments, the germicidal disinfection apparatus may befurther configured wherein the at least one first emitter and the atleast one second emitter are configured to independently emit radiationin response to a control signal by the controller so as to produce adual wavelength emission. The controller may be further configuredwherein the one or more operations further comprise calculating aradiation dose delivered by the at least one first emitter and the atleast one second emitter at one or more zonal orientation.

In certain embodiments, the germicidal disinfection apparatus mayfurther comprise at least one ranging sensor being coupled to a surfaceof the housing assembly and being communicably engaged with thecontroller. The germicidal disinfection apparatus may further compriseat least one dual-band radiation sensor being coupled to a surface ofthe housing assembly and being communicably engaged with the controller.The germicidal disinfection apparatus may further comprise at leastorientation sensor being communicably engaged with the controller. Incertain embodiments, controller may be further configured wherein theone or more operations further comprise modulating a duty cycle of theat least one first emitter and the at least one second emitter inresponse to an input from the at least one ranging sensor. Thecontroller may be further configured wherein the one or more operationsfurther comprise calculating a radiation dose delivered by the at leastone first emitter and the at least one second emitter in response to aninput from the at least one dual-band radiation sensor; and engaging themotor to rotate the array housing from a first zonal orientation to asecond zonal orientation. The one or more operations further comprisedetermining one or more zonal orientation in response to an input fromthe at least orientation sensor.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide for a method forcontrolling microorganisms in an interior environment comprisingpositioning a germicidal disinfection apparatus in a first location ofthe interior environment; pulsing, in a first zonal orientation, anemission from the at least one first emitter and the at least one secondemitter; and pulsing, in a second or subsequent zonal orientation, anemission from the at least one first emitter and the at least one secondemitter. In accordance with some embodiments, the method for controllingmicroorganisms may further comprise modulating, with the controller, thepulse width of the at least one first emitter or the at least one secondemitter according to a kinetic model associated with at least onebacteria, virus, or fungus. The method may further comprise calculating,with the controller, the kinetic model according to one or more physicalcharacteristics of the interior environment.

Further aspects of the present disclosure provide for a germicidaldisinfection apparatus comprising a housing assembly comprising a basehousing and an array housing; a motor being housed in the base housingand configured to rotate the array housing 360 degrees around an axis; aplurality of emitters comprising an array of LEDs having a beam angle ofless than or equal to 180 degrees, the plurality of emitters comprisingat least one first emitter configured to emit ultraviolet light at awavelength between 100 to 280 nanometers; at least one second emitterconfigured to emit visible light at a wavelength between 400 and 410nanometers; a controller being operably engaged with the plurality ofemitters to modulate a duty cycle of the at least one first emitter andthe at least one second emitter; wherein the controller comprises atleast one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readablemedium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause theprocessor to perform one or more operations, the one or more operationscomprising modulating a duty cycle of the at least one first emitter;modulating a duty cycle of the at least one second emitter; modulating apulse width of the at least one first emitter and the at least onesecond emitter such that the at least one first emitter and the at leastone second emitter are configured to pulse emissions of ultravioletlight and visible light, respectively, in phase or out of phase; andengaging the motor to rotate the array housing between two or more zonalorientations; wherein each zonal orientation in the two or more zonalorientations comprises an emission zone corresponding to the beam angleof the plurality of emitters.

In accordance with certain embodiments, the germicidal disinfectionapparatus may further comprise at least one dual-band radiation sensorbeing coupled to a surface of the housing assembly and beingcommunicably engaged with the controller. The controller may beconfigured wherein the one or more operations further comprisecalculating a radiation dose delivered by the at least one first emitterand the at least one second emitter in response to an input from the atleast one dual-band radiation sensor. The one or more operations mayfurther comprise engaging the motor to rotate the array housing betweentwo or more zonal orientations in response to calculating the radiationdose.

Still further aspects of the present disclosure provide for a germicidaldisinfection system comprising a germicidal disinfection apparatuscomprising a housing assembly comprising a base housing and an arrayhousing; a motor being housed in the base housing and configured torotate the array housing from a first zonal orientation to a secondzonal orientation; a plurality of emitters comprising an array and beinghoused in the array housing, the plurality of emitters comprising atleast one first emitter configured to emit ultraviolet light at awavelength between 100 to 280 nanometers; at least one second emitterconfigured to emit visible light at a wavelength between 400 and 410nanometers; a controller being operably engaged with the plurality ofemitters to modulate a duty cycle of the at least one first emitter andthe at least one second emitter; wherein the controller comprises atleast one processor and at least one non-transitory computer-readablemedium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause theprocessor to perform one or more operations, the one or more operationscomprising modulating a duty cycle of the at least one first emitter;modulating a duty cycle of the at least one second emitter; andmodulating a pulse width of the at least one first emitter and the atleast one second emitter such that the at least one first emitter andthe at least one second emitter are configured to pulse emissions ofultraviolet light and visible light, respectively, in phase or out ofphase; and a mobile electronic device being communicably engaged withthe controller to command one or more mode of operation of thegermicidal disinfection apparatus.

In accordance with certain embodiments, a mode of operation of thegermicidal disinfection apparatus may comprise one or more operationsfor modulating the duty cycle of the at least one first emitter and theat least one second emitter according to a kinetic model comprising aneffective radiation kill dose for at least one bacteria, virus, orfungus. In some embodiments, a mode of operation of the germicidaldisinfection apparatus may comprise one or more operations formodulating a pulse width of the at least one first emitter and the atleast one second emitter according to a kinetic model comprising aneffective radiation kill dose for at least one bacteria, virus, orfungus.

In some embodiments, the one or more operations of the processor mayfurther comprise operations for calculating a radiation dose deliveredby the at least one first emitter and the at least one second emitter;and engaging the motor to rotate the array housing from the first zonalorientation to the second zonal orientation.

Further aspects of the present disclosure provides for a germicidaldisinfection apparatus comprising a portable housing; one or moreemitters being contained within the portable housing, the one or moreemitters being operably configured to emit an emission of radiation at afirst wavelength, a second wavelength and a third wavelength, whereinthe first wavelength comprises a wavelength in the range of 200 to 280nanometers, wherein the second wavelength comprises a wavelength in therange of 280 to 405 nanometers, wherein the third wavelength comprises awavelength greater than 405 nanometers; and a controller operablyengaged with the one or more emitters to pulse an emission of radiationcomprising one or more of the first wavelength, the second wavelengthand the third wavelength according to one or more control parameters,wherein the one or more control parameters comprise parameters fordynamically configuring the emission of radiation to comprise a singleband radiation emission, a dual band radiation emission or a multi-bandradiation emission.

In accordance with certain embodiments, the one or more controlparameters may comprise parameters for selectively modulating a dutycycle and phase of the one or more emitters. The germicidal disinfectionapparatus may further comprise at least one dual-band or multi-bandradiation sensor communicably engaged with the controller and/or mayfurther comprise at least one occupant sensor communicably engaged withthe controller. In accordance with certain embodiments, the one or morecontrol parameters may comprise parameters for modulating one or more ofthe first wavelength, the second wavelength and the third wavelength attwo or more timepoints during a duration of pulsing the emission ofradiation. The one or more control parameters may comprise parametersfor modulating one or more of the first wavelength, the secondwavelength and the third wavelength in response to an input from the atleast one dual-band or multi-band radiation sensor. The one or morecontrol parameters may comprise parameters for modulating one or more ofthe first wavelength, the second wavelength and the third wavelength inresponse to an input from the at least one occupant sensor.

Further aspects of the present disclosure provide for a germicidaldisinfection system comprising a portable housing; a first emitteroperably configured to emit an emission of radiation at a firstwavelength, wherein the first wavelength is in the range of 200 to 280nanometers, a second emitter operably configured to emit an emission ofradiation at a second wavelength, wherein the second wavelength is inthe range of 280 to 405 nanometers, a third emitter operably configuredto emit an emission of radiation at a third wavelength, wherein thethird wavelength is greater than 405 nanometers, wherein the firstemitter, the second emitter, and the third emitter are operablyconfigured to comprise an array, wherein the first emitter, the secondemitter, and the third emitter are coupled to the housing; a controlleroperably engaged with the first emitter, the second emitter, and thethird emitter to pulse an emission of radiation comprising one or moreof the first wavelength, the second wavelength and the third wavelengthaccording to one or more control parameters, wherein the one or morecontrol parameters comprise parameters for dynamically configuring theemission of radiation to comprise a single band emission, a dual bandemission or a multi-band emission; and at least one dual-band ormulti-band radiation sensor communicably engaged with the controller,wherein the at least one dual-band or multi-band radiation sensor isconfigured to receive reflected radiation from one or more of the firstemitter, the second emitter, and the third emitter and communicate asensor input comprising a measure of the reflected radiation to thecontroller.

Still further aspects of the present disclosure provide for a germicidaldisinfection system comprising a portable housing; a plurality ofemitters coupled to the portable housing, the plurality of emittersbeing configured to emit an emission of radiation at two or morewavelengths, wherein the two or more wavelengths comprise a firstwavelength in the range of 200 to 280 nanometers and a second wavelengththat is greater than 400 nanometers; a controller operably engaged withthe plurality of emitters to pulse an emission of radiation comprisingthe two or more wavelengths according to one or more control parameters,wherein the one or more control parameters comprise parameters forpulsing a first emission of radiation comprising the first wavelengthfor a first duration and pulsing a second emission of radiationcomprising the second wavelength for a second duration, wherein thefirst duration and the second duration are concomitant or sequential.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent andimportant features of the present invention so that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood andso that the present contribution to the art can be more fullyappreciated. Additional features of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readilyutilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures forcarrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should berealized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures donot depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The skilled artisan will understand that the figures, described herein,are for illustration purposes only. It is to be understood that in someinstances various aspects of the described implementations may be shownexaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the describedimplementations. In the drawings, like reference characters generallyrefer to like features, functionally similar and/or structurally similarelements throughout the various drawings. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the teachings. The drawings are not intended to limitthe scope of the present teachings in any way. The system and method maybe better understood from the following illustrative description withreference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a side view of a portable UV-C disinfection apparatus,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of a portable UV-C disinfectionapparatus, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1C is a top down view of a portable UV-C disinfection apparatus,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1D is an exploded view of a lens assembly of a portable UV-Cdisinfection apparatus, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a portable UV-C disinfection system,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of disinfection zones of a portable UV-Cdisinfection system, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of UV-C emission plots comparing prior artsolutions to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an air gap compensation calculation,according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of target dose calculation, as calculated withand without compensation for air gap;

FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram of a room disinfection using a portableUV-C disinfection system, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a process flow diagram of a zone disinfection by a portableUV-C disinfection system, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram of the utilization of data from a zonedisinfection by a portable UV-C disinfection system, according to anembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a front, side, and top view of an alternative embodiment of aportable UV-C disinfection system;

FIG. 11 is a functional diagram of disinfection of the interior of anaircraft, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an apparatus and system forgermicidal disinfection, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 13A is a sine wave plot of a UV emission and a near-UV emissionbeing pulsed in-phase and out of phase;

FIG. 13B is a plot of a target dose calculation for a single bandemission and a dual band emission, as calculated with and withoutcompensation for air gap;

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a routine for modulating aphase and duty cycle of at least one light emitting device, inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a process flow diagram of a routine of a germicidaldisinfection system, in accordance with certain aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 is a process flow diagram of a routine of a germicidaldisinfection system, in accordance with certain aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 17 is a process flow diagram of a routine of a germicidaldisinfection system, in accordance with certain aspects of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 18 is a process flow diagram of a germicidal disinfection method,in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the concepts discussedin greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutuallyinconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein. It also should be appreciated that terminologyexplicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosureincorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistentwith the particular concepts disclosed herein.

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and embodiments of, inventive methods, apparatus and systemsconfigured to provide for a UV-C disinfection apparatus that reducesexposure time by varying the intensity and wavelength of the UV-Cadministered, while concurrently reducing UV overexposure to surfaces byadministering radiation through a rotational zonal application.

It should be appreciated that various concepts introduced above anddiscussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerousways, as the disclosed concepts are not limited to any particular mannerof implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applicationsare provided primarily for illustrative purposes. The present disclosureshould in no way be limited to the exemplary implementation andtechniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range is encompassed by the invention. The upper and lower limitsof these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smallerranges, and are also encompassed by the invention, subject to anyspecifically excluded limit in a stated range. Where a stated rangeincludes one or both of the endpoint limits, ranges excluding either orboth of those included endpoints are also included in the scope of theinvention.

As used herein, “exemplary” means serving as an example or illustrationand does not necessarily denote ideal or best.

As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but is not limitedto, the term “including” means including but not limited to. The term“based on” means based at least in part on.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS.1A-1C are functional diagrams of a portable UV-C disinfection apparatus100. According to an embodiment, portable UV-C disinfection apparatus100 is generally comprised of an array housing 102, one or more UV-Cemitters 104, one or more near UV emitters 106, a slip ring 108, a basehousing 110, a controller 112, one or more UV-C sensors 114, a rangingsensor 116, an orientation sensor 118, a battery pack 120, a motor 122,motor shaft 124, one or more emitter arrays 130, an encoder 132, and anarray support 134. Array housing 102 is coupled to base housing 110 viaarray support 134, which is coupled to motor shaft 124. Slip ring 108 isoperably coupled to array support 134 via motor shaft 124, and functionsto provide electrical connections between the components in arrayhousing 102 and battery pack 120, as well as functions as a system busbetween the components in array housing 102 and controller 112. Slipring 108 is operable to enable array support 134 to rotate in acontinuous 360-degree rotation via motor shaft 124 while maintainingcircuity connections with battery pack 120 and controller 112. Arrayhousing 102 may be constructed of rigid or flexible material, such asplastic, metal, metal alloy, and the like. Base housing 110 provides astationary foundation for apparatus 100, and may comprise wheels forease of transportation and positioning.

According to an embodiment, one or more UV-C emitters 104, one or morenear UV emitters 106, UV-C sensor 114, and ranging sensor 116, arecoupled to a face portion of the array housing 102. In an embodiment,UV-C emitters 104 and near UV emitters 106 are preferably UV-C and/orvisible light LEDs. In an alternative embodiment, UV-C emitters 104 andnear UV emitters 106 are electronic gas-discharge lamps including butnot limited to low-pressure mercury-vapor lamps, high-pressure mercuryvapor lamps, xenon lamps, mercury-xenon lamps, pulsed-xenon lamps, anddeuterium lamps. In another embodiment, UV-C emitters 104 and near UVemitters 106 may be CFL lamps and halogen lamps. Emitters 104 and nearUV emitters 106 may be distributed in a linear arrangement over a48-inch or 24-inch planar surface. Emitters 104 and near UV emitters 106may be distributed in groups defining an emitter array 130. The lineararrangement of UV-C emitters 104 and near UV emitters 106 direct UV-Cradiation in a targeted beam, enabling higher intensity emission withless power consumption as compared to an omnidirectional bulb—therebyenabling power to be supplied by a battery source, such as battery pack120. The higher intensity generated by focusing a beam of UV-C radiationusing a linear array, rather than an omnidirectional transmissiongenerated by a mercury-vapor bulb or a circular LED array, has the dualbenefits of reducing exposure time in the dosage calculation andconserving energy. In a preferred embodiment, UV-C emitters 104 arecalibrated to have a wavelength emission of 265 nm, and near UV emitters106 are calibrated to have a wavelength emission of 405 nm (which fallson the visible light spectrum). However, both emitters may be calibratedto various wavelength emissions within a known range of wavelengths thatdemonstrate strong disinfection effect. UV-C sensor 114 is a closed loopsensor operable to measure the amount of UV-C light or near UV lightreflected from the target surface back to UV-C sensor 114. UV-C sensor114 may be a single sensor or an array of multiple sensors, and may beeither integral to array housing 102 or distributed in a target room.UV-C sensor 114 may be a dual band sensor comprised of a single carrieroperable to measure UV-C radiation wavelengths of about 265 nm and nearUV of about 405 nm. UV-C sensor 114 is operably engaged with controller112 to communicate the amount of UV-C radiation (single or dual band)collected by UV-C sensor 114. Controller 112 has a set of instructionsstored thereon to measure a “kill dose” according to the amount ofreflected UV-C radiation collected by UV-C sensor 114 and kill doseparameters stored in memory. Controller 112 may calibrate various killdose thresholds depending on the specific disinfection application. Forexample, viruses may require a lower kill dose, while bacteria mayrequire a higher kill dose, and spores may require yet a higher killdose.

Controller 112 may operate in communication with ranging sensor 116 tomore accurately measure a kill dose delivered from emitters 104 and nearUV emitters 106. The UV-C energy collected by UV-C sensor 114 might notaccurately represent the amount of UV-C energy reflected by the targetsurface due to the distance, or air gap, between the target surface andUV-C sensor 114. This is due to the fact that UV-C radiation losesintensity as a function of distance travelled; therefore, the measuredreflected energy at UV-C sensor 114 is less than the energy actuallyreflected by the target surface by a function of the distance betweenthe target surface and UV-C sensor 114. Ranging sensor 116 may beoperably engaged with controller 112 to calculate an “air gapcompensation” to virtually relocate UV-C sensor 114 to the nearestobject. This can be accomplished mathematically by correcting for thereduction in UV-C energy as a function of distance, as well as othervariables such as temperature and humidity. Ranging sensor 116 isoperably engaged to detect the distance to the nearest object in thezone of each UV-C sensor 114. Ranging sensor 116 may be comprised of,for example, one or more sensors capable of detecting the presence andlocation of objects within the sensor range without physical contact,such as sonic ranging, scanning ranging, and/or visible orinfrared-based light sensors. Controller 112 may adjust the kill dosethreshold of reflected energy received by UV-C sensor 114 in accordancewith the distance input defined by ranging sensor 116. In the absence ofranging sensor 116, controller 112 may enable a manual input by a userto define the desired air gap adjustment.

Controller 112 may be positioned within an interior portion of basehousing 110 or array housing 102. Battery pack 120 may be positionedwithin an interior portion of base housing 110 and is operable toprovide all components of portable UV-C disinfection apparatus 100.Orientation sensor 118 is coupled to an interior or exterior portion ofarray housing 102, and is operable to enable controller 112 to detectunit location, array orientation, and zone position of UV-C disinfectionapparatus 100. Orientation sensor 118 may be comprised of one or moremotion sensors, real-time clocks, RFID, GPS, accelerometers, magneticcompass, gyroscopes, piezoelectric sensors, piezoresistive sensors, andcapacitive orientation-sensing components or any other suitable means ororientation and location functioning; or any combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 1D, emitter array 130 may further comprise a lensassembly 140. Lens assembly 140 may be comprised of a heat sink orreflector 138 and a lens 142. Lens assembly 140 functions to protectUV-C emitters 104 and near UV emitters 106 from damage, dissipate heatfrom emitters 104 and 106, and direct light in a desired angle (e.g. 120degrees). Heat sink 138 functions to remove heat from UV-C emitters 104and near UV emitters 106 to prevent overheating through conduction, anddissipate heat from heat sink 138 to the environment through conventionand/or conduction. Heat sink 138 may be constructed of any suitablethermally conductive material. Lens 142 may be coupled to heat sink 138,and may function to protect UV-C emitters 104 and near UV emitters 106from physical contact and environmental damage, such as dustaccumulation. Lens 142 may be constructed from any UV-C transmittablematerial (for example, Acrylite); and, may be configured as a Fresnellens such that lens 142 may be substantially planar in shape.

As discussed above, UV-C emitters 104 and near UV emitters 106 emitradiation at wavelengths of 265 nm and 405 nm respectively. Eachwavelength displays its own kinetics of a kill curve for targetmicroorganisms. It is anticipated that UV-C emitters 104 and near UVemitters 106 may pulse emission in-phase (i.e. emit light at the sametime), or out of phase (i.e. emit light at opposite times), or operateindependently, which may modify the kinetics of each wavelength'srespective kill curve, such that a dual wavelength emission will reducethe overall time required to achieve a kill dose as compared to a singlewavelength emission. Likewise, various modulation schema may be employedbetween UV-C emitters 104 and UV-C emitters 106 in order to optimize thekinetics of the kill curve for a given microorganism (e.g. viruses,bacteria, and spores), thereby reducing the amount of time required toachieve a kill dose for the target microorganism.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a system diagram of a portable UV-Cdisinfection system is shown. According to an embodiment, portable UV-Cdisinfection apparatus 100 administers UV-C radiation to a target zonevia one or more UV-C emitters 104 and one or more near UV emitters 106.In a preferred embodiment, as mentioned above, UV-C emitters 104 arecalibrated to emit short wave UV-C radiation at a wavelength of 265 nm,and near UV emitters 106 are calibrated to have a wavelength emission of405 nm, or vice versa. Remote interface 220 is communicably engaged withcontroller 112 via a wireless communication interface, such as Bluetoothor WiFi. Remote interface 220 may be a tablet computer, smart phone,laptop computer, wireless I/O device, and the like. Remote interface 220associates a room identifier 222 with a target room for disinfection.Remote interface 220 may include a user workflow configured to validatethat a target room is prepped properly for disinfection and that all thesteps in the disinfection workflow have been completed. A roomidentifier 222 may be a scanned barcode or RFID tag. Remote interface220 communicates a request to begin a disinfection cycle to controller112. Processor 204 processes the request to begin a disinfection cycle.Processor 204 executes instructions to orientation sensor 118 todetermine a position and orientation in the target room. Processor 204executes instructions for ranging sensor 116 to scan a Zone N 224 todetermine the closest object in the target room. The data fromorientation sensor 118 and ranging sensor 116 is stored in memory 206,along with room ID 222. Processor 204 executes instructions to measureair gap compensation to calibrate UV-C sensor 114 according to the datafrom ranging sensor 116. Processor 204 executes instructions to initiateUV-C emitters 104 and near UV emitters 106 to emit UV-C radiation totarget Zone N 224. Radiation reflected from target Zone N 224 isreflected back to array housing 102 and is collected by UV-C sensor 114.UV-C sensor 114 sends UV dosage data to processor 204. Processor 204executes instructions to measure a kill dose according to UVreflectivity data and air gap compensation variables. Once a thresholddosage value has been received by UV-C sensor 114, processor 204executes instructions to discontinue UV-C emission by UV-C emitters 104and near UV emitters 106 and rotate array housing to the nextconsecutive zone. Processor 204 executes instructions to store dosagedata from Zone N 224 in memory. Processor 204 executes instructions toengage motor 122, thereby turning motor shaft 124 to rotate arrayhousing 102 such that UV-C emitters 104 and near UV emitters 106 areoriented to the next consecutive zone. Slip ring 108 is the relay andthe system bus between the components in array housing 102 and batterypack 120; and is the system bus between the components in array housing102 and controller 112. Slip ring 108 enables array housing 102 torotate in a 360-degree range of motion with motor shaft 124; however,the desired rotation may be calibrated to less than 360-degrees Oncearray housing 102 has been rotated to the next zone, processor 204executes the same instructions as those of Zone N 224 to deliverradiation to the next zone and measure a kill dose based on reflectedradiation. This process is continued until UV-C emitters 104 and near UVemitters 106 have delivered a kill dose in a full 360-degree rotation(or the desired angular zones).

Processor 204 executes instructions to store dosage data from each zonein memory 208. The dosage data is time stamped, and communicated tohospital server 214 using wireless communication chip set 208 viahospital network 212. Hospital server 214 stores information retrievedfrom controller 112 in hospital database 216. This information can beutilized by hospital server 214 to determine the health of the hospital,as well as monitor the health and status of a facility wide deployment.Communication chip set 208 may be a LoRa chipset, and hospital network212 may be configured as a low power wide area network (LPWAN) to reduceburden on the hospital's Wi-Fi network. LoRa is a wireless modulationfor long-range, low-power, low-data-rate applications. LoRa is based onchirp spread spectrum modulation which maintains low-powercharacteristics and significantly increases communication range. LoRacommonly operates in the unlicensed frequency bands of 867-869 MHz and902-928 MHz, although other frequency bands under 1000 MHz may becommonly utilized. Processor 204 may communicate a confirmation toremote interface 220 to confirm disinfection of the target room iscomplete.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a functional diagram of a portable UV-Cdisinfection system is shown. According to an embodiment, UV-Cdisinfection apparatus 100 is positioned in a target room fordisinfection. UV-C disinfection apparatus 100 is operable to process aroom identifier, orientation inside the room, and the desired zones fordisinfection. The identity of the target room and the orientation ofUV-C disinfection apparatus 100 within the target room may be determinedby Real-Time Clock, RFID or other means to identify the room, GPS andother location methods, inertial navigation, magnetic navigation andother orientation methods. The UV-C sensors measure the UV-C energyreflected from the target zone. The ranging sensors measure the distanceto the nearest object in the zone, and virtually relocate the UV-Csensors to the location of the nearest object to compensate for the airgap between the surface of the nearest object and the surface of theUV-C sensor. The UV-C emitters deliver UV-C light in a first zone, e.g.Zone 1. Due to the varying distance and reflectivity of zone surfacesand objects, the UV-C sensors may receive reflected energy at varyingrates between zones. Reflective paints or reflective adhesive sheets maybe used on hospital walls to increase the rate of UV-C reflectivity ofthe walls. Once a target area is disinfected, i.e. has received a killdose, the array stores the zone dosage information and rotates the arrayto the next consecutive zone, e.g. Zone 2. Information regarding theorientation of objects in the zones and room location is saved in thememory of the UV-C disinfection apparatus. UV-C disinfection apparatus100 may be programmed to exclude zones in certain spaces, e.g. “keep outzones.” Likewise, UV-C disinfection apparatus 100 may be programmed todisinfect non-successive zones in a predetermined disinfection path.UV-C disinfection apparatus 100 delivers radiation in a predeterminedpath until all zones (in this illustration Zones 1-8) have received akill dose, as measured by the reflected energy at the UV-C sensors. In apreferred embodiment, the area of each zone and intensity of UV-Cemission is calculated such that UV-C disinfection apparatus 100 isoperable to deliver a kill-dose to all desired zones by continuousrotation. Upon delivering a kill dose to all desired zones, thedisinfection cycle is concluded and a confirmation is communicated tothe remote interface and hospital server. The data collected during thedisinfection cycle, such as air gap compensation, keep-out zones,disinfection path, and dosage allocation, is stored in the UV-Cdisinfection apparatus memory under a unique room identifier. This datamay be acquired by a hospital server to monitor the health and status ofa facility wide deployment.

FIG. 4 further illustrates the concepts from FIG. 3 ; in particular, theability of the present disclosure to solve the problem of over exposureof UV-C radiation during a UV-C disinfection process, as compared to theprior art. Prior art solutions emit UV-C radiation in an omnidirectionalpattern. A kill dose is measured when a threshold amount of reflectedenergy is measured at the UV-C sensor on the UV-C disinfectionapparatus. Since a target room exhibits different rates of reflectivityat different locations within the room, a UV-C disinfection apparatusthat administers radiation in an omnidirectional pattern is reliant onthe least reflective surface in the room to measure a kill dose at theUV-C sensor. Embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed above,administer radiation and measure reflected energy on a per zone basis;thereby delivering only the necessary amount of radiation required for aparticular zone, and not more. This dramatically reduces the overallamount of excess radiation delivered to the target room, as embodimentsof the present disclosure enable emission of radiation and measurementof reflected energy specifically in the target zone.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , a functional illustration of an air gapcompensation calculation by UV-C disinfection apparatus 100 is shown.According to an embodiment, ranging sensor 116 measures the distancefrom UV-C disinfection apparatus 100, D₀, to the target surface, D₁, andto the leading surface of the closest object in the room, D₂. Thedistance D₂ defines the air gap between the UV-C sensors 114 and theleading surface of the closest object in the room 44. The back side ofobject 44, i.e. the “dark” side of the object relative to UV-Cdisinfection apparatus 100, is disinfected by receiving UV-C radiationreflected back from the target surface 42. As discussed above, a killdose is measured by the amount of radiation reflected from the targetsurface 42 to UV-C sensors 114. The kill dose is measured usingreflected radiation, rather than direct energy, in order to ensure thatthe dark side of surfaces in the target room (i.e. surfaces notreceiving direct exposure of UV-C radiation) are sufficientlydisinfected. The amount of reflected radiation only needs to be measuredfrom the leading edge of the closest object in the room 44 to measure akill dose on the dark side of object 44. The space between D₀ and D₂represents the air gap between UV-C sensors 114 and the leading edge ofthe closest object in the room 44. The intensity of the reflectedradiation is reduced between D₂ and D₀, as the intensity of radiationdiminishes with distance. Therefore, measuring a kill dose at D₀ resultsin an over measurement of radiation, which in turn results inoverexposure UV-C radiation and increased time for UV-C disinfectionapparatus 100 to complete a disinfection cycle. UV-C disinfectionapparatus 100 mitigates over-exposure and minimizes disinfection time byvirtually relocating UV-C sensors 114 to distance D2 by executing an airgap compensation algorithm. This enables UV-C disinfection apparatus 100to measure the minimum required amount of reflected UV-C radiationnecessary for an effective kill dose.

FIG. 6 further illustrates the above concepts of FIG. 5 by plotting thereflected energy received by UV-C sensors 114 (on the y-axis) as afunction of time (on the x-axis) in order to reach a target dose ofreflected energy. Where UV-C sensors 114 have not been virtuallyrelocated to compensate for air gap, the time required to reach aneffective kill dose is shown on the graph as T₀. Where UV-C sensors 114have been virtually relocated to compensate for air gap, the timerequired to reach an effective kill dose is shown on the graph as T₁.The delta between T₀ and T₁ represents the amount of time saved duringthe disinfection cycle when compensating for air gap between the UV-Csensor and the location of the nearest object in the zone.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , a process flow diagram of a room disinfectionusing a portable UV-C disinfection system is shown. According to anembodiment, the portable UV-C disinfection system identifies the room400 by receiving an identification tag, such as an RFID label, or otherlocation information, such as GPS, and stores this room ID in memory402. The room ID is communicated to a remote interface and through anetwork to a hospital database 404. A user positions the portable UV-Cdisinfection system in a room 406 and sends a command to the portableUV-C disinfection system via a remote interface to begin thedisinfection cycle 408. The portable UV-C disinfection system verifiesno occupants are present in the room 410, and once safety has beenverified, the UV-C disinfection system begins the disinfection cycle412.

Referring now to FIG. 8 , a flow diagram of a zone disinfection by aportable UV-C disinfection system is shown. According to an embodiment,the portable UV-C disinfection system signals the ranging to scan Zone 1500, and calculates the distance between a UV-C sensor and the nearestobject in the zone to determine air gap compensation 502 for the UV-Csensor. The UV-C emitters deliver radiation to Zone 1 504 in dualwavelengths of about 265 nm and about 405 nm. The UV-C sensors receivereflected radiation 506 from the target zone to continuously measuredosage 508. As the sensors receive reflected UV-C radiation, a decisionis made as to whether or not the calculated dosage strength for a zonehas been met 510, i.e. a kill dose has been administered. If “NO,” theUV-C sensors continue to monitor radiation 506 and radiation isdelivered until the calculated dosage for the zone has been achieved.Once the sensors receive a threshold radiation value, the UV-C emittersdiscontinue radiation and Zone 1 disinfection is concluded 512. The UV-Cdisinfection system stores dosage data in memory 514 along with roomidentifying information. Upon completion of Zone 1 disinfection, thearray rotates to Zone 2 516.

Ranging sensors scan Zone 2 518 and calculate the distance between theUV-C sensor and the nearest object in the zone to determine air gapcompensation 520 for the UV-C sensor. Alternatively, a predetermined airgap compensation parameter may be calibrated in the system. The UV-Cemitters deliver radiation to Zone 2 522 in dual wavelengths of about265 nm and about 405 nm. The UV-C sensors receive reflected radiation524 from the target zone to continuously measure dosage 526. As thesensors receive reflected UV-C radiation, a decision is made as towhether a kill dose for the zone has been delivered 528. If “NO,” theUV-C sensors continue to receive reflected radiation 524 from the targetzone to continuously measure dosage 526. If “YES,” the sensors havereceived a threshold radiation value, the UV-C emitters discontinueradiation and Zone 2 disinfection is concluded 530. The UV-Cdisinfection system stores dosage data in memory 532 along with roomidentifying information.

Upon the completion of a zone disinfection, the system processingranging and orientation data from sensors to determine if the 360-degreerotation is complete 534. If “NO,” sensors begin to scan the nextsuccessive zone until an N^(th) number of zones are radiated and thecycle is complete 536. If the information from the ranging andorientation sensors indicate a complete rotation of 360 degrees anddisinfection of all zones, then the cycle is complete 538. Once adisinfection cycle is complete, the portable UV-C disinfection systemsignals the remote interface of the completion and stores system datarelated to the disinfection in the device database.

FIG. 9 illustrates the utilization of data from a zone disinfection by aportable UV-C disinfection system. According to an embodiment, theportable UV-C disinfection system receives data from the UV-C, ranging,and orientation sensors. This data provides information as to theorientation of objects in a room and the time and dosage strength neededto disinfect a room. The data is stored in the portable UV-Cdisinfection system memory 600. The data is time-stamped to keep arecord of when a room was disinfected 602. This time-stamped data isthen communicated via a network to a hospital server 604. The receivedtime-stamped information is then associated with a room identificationand stored in a hospital database 606. This information can be utilizedby quality control to determine the health of the hospital, as well asmonitor the health and status of a facility wide deployment.

Referring now to FIG. 10 , a front, side, and top view of an alternativeembodiment of a portable UV-C disinfection system is shown. According toan embodiment, a UV-C disinfection apparatus 10 is generally comprisedof a left and a right array surface 12, a left and a right UV-C sensor14, a front and a rear proximity sensor 20, a base housing 16, a leftand a right emitter array 18, and tracks 22. UV-C disinfection apparatus10 may function to emit UV-C radiation in substantially the same way asdescribed in FIG. 1 above, including the application of dual bandradiation. As opposed to rotating in a 360-degree range of motion asdescribed above, UV-C disinfection apparatus 10 emits radiation in afixed transmission pattern from left and right array surface 12. Asshown in FIG. 11 , UV-C disinfection apparatus 10 is operable todisinfect the interior of an aircraft by moving down an aircraft aisle24 using tracks 22. Left emitter array 18 delivers radiation to leftseats 26L, and right emitter array 18 delivers radiation to right seats26R. Left and right UV-C sensors 14 measure the amount of reflectedenergy received from left emitter array and right emitter array 18,respectively. Once a kill dose has been measured for a target zone inthe aircraft, UV-C disinfection apparatus 10 continues down aircraftaisle 24 using tracks 22. Front and rear proximity sensors 20 preventUV-C disinfection apparatus 10 from making contact with objects in itspath.

Referring now to FIG. 12 , a functional block diagram of a germicidaldisinfection apparatus and system 1200 is shown. In accordance with anembodiment, a germicidal disinfection apparatus and system 1200 maycomprise a housing assembly 1202, a controller 1204, at least one UVemitter(s) 1206, at least one near-UV emitter(s) 1208, at least onevisible light emitter(s) 1210, a motor 1226 and a battery 1228. Housingassembly 1202 may comprise an array housing or array surface 1228configured to position UV emitters 1206, near-UV emitters 1208 andvisible light emitter(s) 1210 in a planar and/or substantially verticalorientation. UV emitters 1206 may comprise a plurality of LEDsconfigured as an array. UV emitter 1206, near-UV emitter 1208, andvisible emitters 1210 may each comprise one or more types of lightemitting devices, such as LEDs, electronic gas-discharge lamps, CFLlamps, and halogen lamps and the like. The plurality of LEDs maycomprise one or more LEDs configured to produce a spectral output withina UV-A region (315-400 nanometers (nm)), a UV-B region (280-315 nm),and/or a UV-C region (100-280 nm). In certain embodiments, UV emitters1206 comprises one or more LEDs configured to produce a spectral outputwithin a UV-C region, and more particularly in a range of 250-270 nm.Near-UV emitters 1208 may comprise a plurality of LEDs configured as anarray. Near-UV emitters 1208 may be configured to produce a visiblelight output within a near-UV region (e.g. 400-410 nm). In certainembodiments, near-UV emitters 1208 may be configured to produce avisible light output having a spectral wavelength of 405 nm. Visibleemitter 1210 may comprise one or more lighting device configured toproduce a visible light output having a spectral range between 400-700nm. UV emitters 1206, near-UV emitters 1208 and visible emitters 1210may comprise a plurality of LEDs configured as an array.

In accordance with certain embodiments, motor 1226 may be operablyengaged with battery 1228, controller 1204, and array housing 1228 torotate array housing 1228 around an axis to two or more different zonalorientations. A zonal orientation may be defined by a beam angle of UVemitters 1206 and near-UV emitter 1208. For example, if UV emitters 1206and near-UV emitter 1208 have a beam angle of 45 degrees, then aninterior room would comprise eight emission zones (e.g., as shown inFIG. 3 ).

In accordance with certain embodiments, controller 1204 may be operablyengaged with UV emitters 1206, near-UV emitters 1208 and visibleemitters 1210 via an electrical relay. Controller 1204 may comprise aprocessor and a memory device having instructions stored thereon tocause the processor to execute one or more control functions ofcontroller 1204 to modulate a duty cycle of UV emitters 1206 and/ornear-UV emitters 1208 and/or visible emitters 1210; modulate a pulsewidth of UV emitters 1206 and/or near-UV emitters 1208; and control/varythe phase of emission for UV emitters 1206 and/or near-UV-emitters 1208and/or visible emitters 1210. For example, FIG. 12A shows a pulse wave1301 of UV emitters 1206 and a pulse wave 1303 of near-UV emitters 1208being modulated by controller 1204 to pulse a dual-band emission of UVradiation and near-UV radiation in-phase, in a first control setting,and out of phase, in a second control setting.

In accordance with certain embodiments, controller 1204 is operable tocontrol emission of UV emitters 1206 and/or near-UV emitters 1208 and/orvisible emitters 1210 according to one or more operating modes. Forexample, in an illustrative first mode of operation controller 1204 maybe configured to modulate an emission of UV radiation and/or near-UVradiation from UV emitters 1206 and near-UV emitters 1208. In certainembodiments, the first mode of operation may be configured to pulse anemission from UV emitters 1206 and near-UV emitters 1208. In certainembodiments, controller 1204 is configured in the first mode ofoperation to modulate an emission of UV radiation and near-UV radiationfrom UV emitters 1206 and near-UV emitters 1208 to produce a dual bandemission of radiation, either in-phase or out of phase. In certainembodiments, the first mode of operation may include pulsing theemission of UV radiation and near-UV radiation from UV emitters 1206 andnear-UV emitters 1208 simultaneously (i.e. in phase) or in rapid orclose succession (i.e. out of phase). In further configurations, thefirst mode of operation may include pulsing an emission from UV emitters1206 and disengaging an emission from near-UV emitters 1208 inaccordance with a first control setting; and pulsing an emission fromnear-UV emitters 1208 and disengaging an emission from UV emitters 1206during a second control setting. In the second mode of operation,controller 1204 may be configured to control and engage an emission ofnear-UV radiation from near-UV emitters 1208 and disengage a UV emissionfrom UV emitters 1206.

In accordance with certain embodiments, controller 1204 may becommunicably engaged with one or more radiation sensor 1212. Radiationsensor(s) 1212 may be coupled to, or otherwise contained within, housing1202 and/or may be located independent from housing assembly 1202 andcommunicably engaged with controller 1204 via a wireline or a wirelessinterface. Certain embodiments may comprise multiple radiation sensors1212 being integral to housing assembly 1202 and/or separate fromhousing assembly 1202. Radiation sensors 1212 may comprise one or moreclosed-loop UV sensors, one or more closed-loop near-UV sensors, and/orone or more dual-band closed loop sensor being operable to measure bothUV radiation and near-UV radiation. In an embodiment, radiation sensors1212 may be configured and arranged such that radiation sensors 1212 areoperable to measure an amount of UV radiation and near-UV radiationemitted from UV emitters 1206 and near-UV-emitters 1208 being reflectedback to radiation sensors 1212 from a target surface of an interiorroom. Radiation sensors 1212 may provide a sensor input to controller1212 in response to receiving the reflected radiation from the targetsurface of the interior room.

Controller 1204 may be configured to calculate an aggregate amount ofradiation received by the target surface in response to the sensor inputand determine whether a radiation threshold or target dose of radiation(i.e., a kill dose) has been delivered by UV emitters 1206 and/ornear-UV emitters 1208 to the target surface. The radiation threshold ortarget dose of radiation may be calculated from a kinetic model ordose-response curve corresponding to a group of microorganisms (e.g.,bacteria) or a specific microorganism (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus).Controller 1204 may have a plurality of target dose data stored inmemory and may be configured to calculate a specific radiation thresholdin response to a user configuration or other control input. Each kineticmodel may include a dose-response curve for single band radiation (e.g.only UV radiation or only near-UV radiation) and dual band radiation(e.g., both UV radiation and near-UV radiation being emitted either inphase or out of phase, or otherwise in succession over a given timeperiod). In certain embodiments, controller 1204 may be configured tocalculate a radiation dose according to the kinetic model in response toa input from radiation sensors 1212 to determine whether a thresholddose for a given zone has been delivered. If a threshold dose has beendelivered, controller 1204 may be configured to engage the motor toposition array surface 1228 to a new emission zone. If all zones havereceived a threshold dose, controller 1204 may be configured toterminate emission. Controller 1204 may be configured to store radiationdata and other operational data in memory and/or communicate radiationdata and other operational data to mobile device 1222 and/orserver/client device 1224 via a communications interface.

In certain embodiments, controller 1204 may be communicably engaged witha ranging sensor 1214 being configured to measure a distance between theUV emitters 1206 and near-UV emitters 1208 and a target surface (forexample, as shown and described in FIG. 5 ). Controller 1204 may beconfigured to process inputs from ranging sensor 1214 and calculate anamount of reflected energy lost as a function of distance to update thekinetic model to calculate a kill dose. For example, FIG. 13B shows anexemplary kinetic model comprising a dose-response curve 1306, amodified dose-response curve 1308 in response to a ranging sensor input,a single band target dose 1302, and a dual band target dose 1304.

In accordance with certain embodiments, controller 1204 may becommunicably engaged with an occupant sensor 1216 configured to detectthe presence of a person in an interior room in which system 1200 isinstalled and/or detect the proximity of a person to an emission zone ofUV emitters 1206. Occupant sensor 1216 may include one or more sensortypes, including but not limited to infrared sensors (IR), ultrasonicsensors, tomographic motion detection sensors, microwave sensors,camera-based sensors, environmental sensors (e.g. temperature, humidityand CO2 sensors), and the like. Controller 1204 may be configured toterminate an emission of UV emitters 1206 in response to an input fromoccupant sensor 1216 indicative of a person being in an interior roomand/or in proximity to an emission zone of UV emitters 1206. In certainembodiments, controller 1204 may be communicably engaged with at leastone image sensor 1218; for example, a digital camera. Image sensor 1218may function as ranging sensor 1214 and/or occupant sensor 1216. Imagesensor 1218 may provide image data to controller 1204 indicative of oneor more situational or environmental conditions of an interior location.For example, controller 1204 may be configured to process image data todetermine an occupant load of an interior space. Image sensor 1218 maybe configured to capture body temperature data of occupants within aninterior space. Controller 1204 may be configured to process bodytemperature data to determine a likelihood of one or more functionalload for in the interior space (i.e., the likelihood and scope ofmicroorganisms in the interior space) and estimate a target dose of UVradiation and/or near-UV radiation for the target space. In certainembodiments, controller 1204 is communicably engaged with at least oneacoustic transducer 1220. Acoustic transducer 1220 may be configured tocapture one or more sound inputs and communicate audio signal data tocontroller 1204. Controller 1204 may be configured to process audiosignal data to determine one or more situational or environmentalconditions of the interior space for the purpose of engaging orconfiguring one or more control settings of germicidal disinfectionapparatus and system 1200.

In accordance with certain embodiments, controller 1204 may becommunicably engaged with a mobile electronic device 1222 and/or aserver/client device 1224 via a wireless or wireline communicationsinterface. Mobile electronic device 1222 and/or server/client device1224 may be configured to provide a user interface for configuring oneor more control settings for controller 1204. Controller 1204 may beconfigured to communicate device data, sensor data, and usage data formobile electronic device 1222 and/or server/client device 1224. Mobileelectronic device 1222 and/or server/client device 1224 may beconfigured to communicate external data to controller 1204 to configureone or more control settings and/or update or provide one or morekinetic model.

Referring now to FIG. 14 (with reference to FIG. 12 ), a functionalblock diagram of a routine 1400 for modulating a phase and duty cycle ofat least one emitter within system 1200 is shown. In accordance with anembodiment, routine 1400 commences by selecting a function 1402 ofsystem 1100; for example, selecting an operational mode or configuring atarget dosing variable corresponding to a specific group or type ofmicroorganism. Optionally, step 1402 may concurrently compriseconfiguring a kinetic model in response to, or in conjunction with,selecting the function of system 1200. In certain embodiments, step 1402may comprise collecting data from one or more sensors to determine oneor more situational or environmental conditions of an interior locationfor the purpose of configuring one or more control settings; forexample, number of zones, emission settings, and the like. Routine 1400may continue by engaging emitters in a one or more modes of operation1406 to pulse an emission of radiation to a target surface within atarget zone of emission. Routine 1400 may continue in step 1408 bymodulating the duty cycle of UV emitters 1206 and/or near-UV emitters1208; and may continue in step 1410 by modulating a phase of UV emitters1206 and/or near-UV emitters 1208, such that UV emitters 1206 andnear-UV emitters 1208 pulse emission in-phase according to a firstmodulation control and out of phase according to a second modulationcontrol. Routine 1400 may continue by processing one or more sensorinputs 1412 (e.g., a closed-loop radiation sensor input and a rangingsensor input). Routine 1400 continues by executing decision steps 1414and 1416. In decision step 1414, the controller processes the sensorinput(s) to determine if a threshold dose of radiation (i.e. a killdose) has been delivered to the target emission zone. If NO, routine1400 continues by engaging emitters in accordance with step 1406. IfYES, routine 1400 proceeds to decision step 1416. In decision step 1414,the controller processes the dosage data stored in memory to determineif a threshold dose of radiation (i.e. a kill dose) has been deliveredto all target emission zones for the interior location. If YES, thecontroller stores the dosing data in memory (and optionally communicatesthe dosing data to one or more communicably engaged devices) andterminates emission 1418. If NO, routine 1400 continues to step 1418.Step 1408 is configured to engage the motor to rotate the array surfaceto the next or successive zonal orientation. Upon orienting the arraysurface to the relevant zonal orientation, routine 1400 continues byengaging emitters in accordance with step 1406 until all zones havereceived a threshold dose of radiation in accordance with the relevantkinetic model.

Referring now to FIG. 15 , a process flow diagram of a routine 1500 of agermicidal disinfection system is shown. In accordance with certainaspects of the present disclosure, the germicidal disinfection systemmay comprise portable UV-C disinfection apparatus 100, as shown in FIGS.1A-1C, and/or may be embodied as germicidal disinfection apparatus andsystem 1200, as shown in FIG. 12 . In accordance with certain aspects ofthe present disclosure, routine 1500 may comprise one or more steps oroperations for pulsing an emission of radiation via a germicidaldisinfection apparatus comprising one or more UV light and/or visiblelight emitters (e.g., LEDs) according to one or more control settingsencoded on at least one controller being operably engaged with the oneor more emitters. In accordance with certain aspects of the presentdisclosure, routine 1500 may comprise one or more steps or operations atthe controller to initiate a mode of operation for the one or moreemitters (Step 1502). In accordance with certain embodiments, the modeof operation for the one or more emitters may comprise systemconfigurations and settings 1504 encoded in a memory device of thecontroller for engaging a 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514, a 2^(nd)wavelength emitter 1516 and an N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518 (i.e.,third or subsequent emitter) of the germicidal disinfection apparatus.In accordance with certain embodiments, 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514may be operably configured to output an emission of radiation at awavelength in the range of 200 to 280 nanometers. The 2^(nd) wavelengthemitter 1516 may be operably configured to output an emission ofradiation at a wavelength in the range of 280 to 405 nanometers. TheN^(th) wavelength emitter 1518 may be operably configured to output anemission of radiation at a wavelength greater than 405 nanometers. Inaccordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, routine 1500may comprise one or more steps or operations for pulsing an emission ofradiation (Step 1506) from one or more of 1^(st) wavelength emitter1514, 2^(nd) wavelength emitter 1516 and N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518.Based on system configurations and settings 1504, Step 1506 may compriseone or more steps or operations for pulsing a single band emission ofradiation from only one of either 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514, 2^(nd)wavelength emitter 1516 or N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518; for example,an emission of radiation comprising only a wavelength in the UV-Cspectrum from 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514. Step 1506 may comprise oneor more steps or operations for pulsing a dual band emission ofradiation comprising a combination of two of wavelength emitter 1514,2^(nd) wavelength emitter 1516 and N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518; forexample, an emission of radiation comprising a wavelength in the UV-Cspectrum from 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514 and an emission ofradiation comprising a wavelength in the Near-UV spectrum from 2^(nd)wavelength emitter 1516. Step 1506 may comprise one or more steps oroperations for pulsing a multi-band emission of radiation comprising acombination of all three of 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514, 2^(nd)wavelength emitter 1516 and N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518; for example,an emission of radiation comprising a wavelength in the UV-C spectrumfrom 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514 and an emission of radiationcomprising a wavelength in the Near-UV spectrum from 2^(nd) wavelengthemitter 1516 and an emission of radiation comprising a wavelength in thevisible light spectrum from N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518.

In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, routine1500 may comprise one or more steps or operations for receiving one ormore sensor inputs (e.g., from an occupant sensor and/or radiationsensor) and processing the one or more sensor inputs according to thesystem configurations and settings 1504 (Step 1508). In accordance withcertain aspects of the present disclosure, routine 1500 may comprise oneor more steps or operations for modifying the emission (e.g., accordingto the system configurations and settings 1504) at one or more timepoints during the duration of emission to change the combination ofwavelengths (Step 1510). For example, routine 1500 may be configured topulse radiation for 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514 for a specifiedduration (e.g., one minute) and pulse radiation for 2^(nd) wavelengthemitter 1516 for a second specified duration (e.g., two minutes, eitherconcomitantly or sequentially with 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514) andpulse radiation for N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518 for a third specifiedduration (e.g., three minutes, either concomitantly or sequentially with1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514 and 2^(nd) wavelength emitter 1516). Inaccordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, routine 1500may comprise one or more steps or operations for terminating theemission of radiation (e.g., after a target dose of radiation has beenemitted) and/or updating the mode of operation to modify the operationof the emitters (e.g., modify the intensity, phase or duty cycle of theemitters) (Step 1512).

Referring now to FIG. 16 , a process flow diagram of a routine 1600 of agermicidal disinfection system is shown. In accordance with certainaspects of the present disclosure, the germicidal disinfection systemmay comprise portable UV-C disinfection apparatus 100, as shown in FIGS.1A-1C, and/or may be embodied as germicidal disinfection apparatus andsystem 1200, as shown in FIG. 12 . In accordance with certain aspects ofthe present disclosure, routine 1600 may comprise one or more steps orsub-steps of routine 1500 of FIG. 15 . In certain embodiments, routine1600 may be configured to engage one or more emitters according to atleast one operational mode (Step 1602). The one or more emitters maycomprise 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514, 2^(nd) wavelength emitter 1516and/or N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518. In accordance with certainaspects of the present disclosure, routine 1600 may comprise one or moresteps or operations for receiving and processing a plurality of inputdata at the controller of the germicidal disinfection apparatus andsystem (Step 1604). The plurality of input data may be received from oneor more data sources including one or more occupant or environmentalsensor 1606, a radiation sensor 1608 and/or external data (e.g., fromone or more external servers via one or more APIs) or user-generateddata 1610 (e.g., from one or more user interfaces via one or moredevices communicably engaged with the controller). In certainembodiments, radiation sensor 1608 may comprise a one dual-bandradiation sensor or multi-band radiation sensor and may optionallycomprise a closed loop sensor. In response to processing the input data,step 1604 may comprise one or more operations for modulating a dutycycle of the one or more emitters (Step 1612), modulating an intensity(e.g., power level) of the one or more emitters (Step 1614), and/ormodulating a wavelength of the one or more emitters (Step 1616). Inaccordance with certain embodiments, modulating a wavelength of the oneor more emitters (Step 1616) may comprise modifying an output of one ormore of 1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514, 2^(nd) wavelength emitter 1516and/or N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518 in order to change the combinationof radiation wavelengths being pulsed by the emitters. Routine 1600 maycontinue to pulse radiation from the one or more emitters according toan output of step 1604 until decision step 1618 determines whether atarget amount of radiation has been delivered to an interior environmentaccording to a model threshold (Step 1618). If NO (i.e., a target amountof radiation has not been delivered to an interior environment and/or anexposure threshold has not been reached), then routine 1600 continues toengage emitters according to the designated operational mode in step1602. If YES (i.e., a target amount of radiation has been delivered toan interior environment and/or an exposure threshold has been reached),then routine 1600 proceeds by terminating the emission or updating themode of operation at the controller (Step 1620); for example,terminating an emission of UV-C radiation by the 1^(st) wavelengthemitter 1514 and continuing or initiating an emission of visible lightfrom the N^(th) wavelength emitter 1518.

Referring now to FIG. 17 , a process flow diagram of a routine 1700 of agermicidal disinfection system is shown. In accordance with certainaspects of the present disclosure, the germicidal disinfection systemmay comprise portable UV-C disinfection apparatus 100, as shown in FIGS.1A-1C, and/or may be embodied as germicidal disinfection apparatus andsystem 1200, as shown in FIG. 12 . Routine 1700 may comprise one or moresteps or sub-steps of routine 1500 of FIG. 15 and/or routine 1600 ofFIG. 16 . In accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure,routine 1700 may comprise one or more steps or operations forconfiguring an emission of radiation from a plurality of emitters (e.g.,1^(st) wavelength emitter 1514, 2^(nd) wavelength emitter 1516 andN^(th) wavelength emitter 1518, as shown in FIG. 15 ) to comprise aspecified or dynamic combination of radiation wavelengths (e.g., singleband, dual band and/or multi-band or combinations thereof). Inaccordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure, routine 1700may comprise one or more steps or operations for configuring one or moreradiation wavelengths (e.g., UV-C, near UV and/or visible light)according to at least one operational mode or emission model (Step1702). Routine 1700 may continue by engaging the one or more emittersaccording to at least one operational mode or emission model to pulse anemission of radiation comprising the configured combination of the oneor more radiation wavelengths (Step 1704). In accordance with certainembodiments, an output of Step 1704 may comprise one or more steps oroperations for pulsing a single band emission of radiation for aspecified duration (Step 1706); for example, an emission of UV-Cradiation only. Alternatively, an output of Step 1704 may comprise oneor more steps or operations for pulsing a dual band emission ofradiation for a specified duration (Step 1708); for example, asimultaneous emission of UV-C radiation and near UV radiation and/orUV-C radiation and visible light). It is anticipated that the dual bandemission of radiation may comprise any suitable combination ofwavelengths from the UV-C spectrum (200-280 nm), the near-UV spectrum(400-410 nm) and the visible light spectrum (400-700 nm), including twowavelengths within the same spectrum (e.g., 222 nm and 270 nm) or twowavelengths from different spectrums (e.g., 270 nm and 405 nm).Alternatively, an output of Step 1704 may comprise one or more steps oroperations for pulsing a multi-band emission of radiation for aspecified duration (Step 1710); for example, a simultaneous emission ofUV-C radiation and near UV radiation and/or UV-C radiation and visiblelight). It is anticipated that the dual band emission of radiation maycomprise any suitable combination of wavelengths from the UV-C spectrum(200-280 nm), the near-UV spectrum (400-410 nm) and the visible lightspectrum (400-700 nm), including three or more wavelengths within thesame spectrum (e.g., 222 nm, 256 nm and 270 nm) or three or morewavelengths from different spectrums (e.g., 270 nm, 405 nm and 500 nm).In accordance with certain embodiments, an output of Step 1704 maycomprise one or more steps or operations for modifying the emission ofradiation to switch between a single band emission, a dual band emissionand a multi-band emission within a specified duration or in accordancewith a specified emission model. In accordance with certain aspects ofthe present disclosure, routine 1700 may proceed to decision step 1712to determine whether a target amount of radiation has been delivered toan interior environment according to a model threshold. If NO (i.e., atarget amount of radiation has not been delivered to an interiorenvironment and/or an exposure threshold has not been reached), thenroutine 1700 continues to engage emitters according to the designatedoperational mode in step 1704. If YES (i.e., a target amount ofradiation has been delivered to an interior environment and/or anexposure threshold has been reached), then routine 1700 proceeds byterminating the emission or updating the mode of operation at thecontroller (Step 1714). In accordance with certain aspects of thepresent disclosure, an output of Step 1714 may comprise proceeding toStep 1702 to reconfigure/modify the radiation wavelengths according toan updated operational mode and/or an updated emission model.

Referring now to FIG. 18 , a process flow diagram of germicidaldisinfection method 1800 is shown. In accordance with certain aspects ofthe present disclosure, the germicidal disinfection system may compriseportable UV-C disinfection apparatus 100, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C,and/or may be embodied as germicidal disinfection apparatus and system1200, as shown in FIG. 12 . In accordance with certain aspects of thepresent disclosure, method 1800 may be embodied within one or more stepsor operations of routine 1500 (FIG. 15 ), routine 1600 (FIG. 16 ),and/or routine 1700 (FIG. 17 ). In accordance with certain aspects ofthe present disclosure, method 1800 may comprise one or more steps oroperations for engaging one or more emitters according to one or moreoperational mode or emission settings (Step 1802). In certainembodiments, the one or more emitters may comprise at least one UV-Cemitter, at least one near UV emitter and/or at least one visible lightemitter. Method 1800 may proceed by executing one or more steps oroperations for pulsing an emission of radiation comprising a firstwavelength or a first combination of wavelengths for a first duration(Step 1804). Method 1800 may proceed by executing one or more steps oroperations for pulsing an emission of radiation comprising a secondwavelength or a second combination of wavelengths for a second duration(Step 1806). In accordance with certain aspects of the presentdisclosure, the first duration may be concomitant with the secondduration, or the first duration may be successive/sequential with thesecond duration. Method 1800 may proceed by executing one or more stepsor operations for modulating a phase and/or intensity for the one ormore emitters according to one or more operations settings and/or sensorfeedback (Step 1808). Method 1800 may proceed by executing one or moresteps or operations for modifying one or more radiation wavelengths forthe emission according to one or more operations settings and/or sensorfeedback (Step 1810). In accordance with certain aspects of the presentdisclosure, Step 1810 may comprise one or more steps or operations forselectively engaging/disengaging at least one emitter in the one or moreemitters in order to modify a combination of radiation wavelengths forthe emission. In accordance with certain aspects of the presentdisclosure, method 1800 may conclude by executing one or more steps oroperations for disengaging the one or more emitters to terminate theemission of radiation according to one or more operation settings orsensor feedback (Step 1812). Step 1812 may comprise terminating theemission of radiation in response to determining a target amount ofradiation has been delivered to an interior environment and/or anexposure threshold has been reached by one or more occupants in aninterior environment.

Other alternative embodiments of the present disclosure may provide forone or more fixed planar emitters and/or one or more rotational planaremitters. The configuration of fixed vs. planar emitters may depend onthe desired disinfection application. For example, the hospital roomapplication as discussed above employs a rotational planar emitter toreduce time disinfection time and overexposure of UV radiation; while anaircraft application employs multiple fixed planar emitters. A bathroomstall, by comparison, may employ a fixed and/or a rotational planaremitter. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide forapplication-specific programming of disinfection zones; for example,“keep out” zones and target zones.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a method (including, for example, acomputer-implemented process, a business process, and/or any otherprocess), apparatus (including, for example, a system, machine, device,computer program product, and/or the like), or a combination of theforegoing. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may takethe form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), oran embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may generallybe referred to herein as a “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of thepresent invention may take the form of a computer program product on acomputer-readable medium having computer-executable program codeembodied in the medium.

Any suitable transitory or non-transitory computer readable medium maybe utilized. The computer readable medium may be, for example but notlimited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared,or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples ofthe computer readable medium include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: an electrical connection having one or more wires; a tangiblestorage medium such as a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM), or other optical or magnetic storage device.

In the context of this document, a computer readable medium may be anymedium that can contain, store, communicate, or transport the programfor use by or in connection with the instruction execution system,apparatus, or device. The computer usable program code may betransmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited tothe Internet, wireline, optical fiber cable, radio frequency (RF)signals, or other mediums.

Computer-executable program code for carrying out operations ofembodiments of the present invention may be written in an objectoriented, scripted or unscripted programming language such as Java,Perl, Smalltalk, C++, or the like. However, the computer program codefor carrying out operations of embodiments of the present invention mayalso be written in conventional procedural programming languages, suchas the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

Embodiments of the present invention are described above with referenceto flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products. It will be understood thateach block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and/orcombinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or blockdiagrams, can be implemented by computer-executable program codeportions. These computer-executable program code portions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce aparticular machine, such that the code portions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create mechanisms for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer-executable program code portions (i.e.,computer-executable instructions) may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the code portions stored in the computer readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instructionmechanisms which implement the function/act specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block(s). Computer-executable instructions may bein many forms, such as program modules, executed by one or morecomputers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically,the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributedas desired in various embodiments.

The computer-executable program code may also be loaded onto a computeror other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational phases to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the codeportions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatusprovide phases for implementing the functions/acts specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block(s). Alternatively, computer programimplemented phases or acts may be combined with operator or humanimplemented phases or acts in order to carry out an embodiment of theinvention.

As the phrases are used herein, a processor may be “operable to” or“configured to” perform a certain function in a variety of ways,including, for example, by having one or more general-purpose circuitsperform the function by executing particular computer-executable programcode embodied in computer-readable medium, and/or by having one or moreapplication-specific circuits perform the function.

The terms “program” or “software” are used herein in a generic sense torefer to any type of computer code or set of computer-executableinstructions that can be employed to program a computer or otherprocessor to implement various aspects of the present technology asdiscussed above. Additionally, it should be appreciated that accordingto one aspect of this embodiment, one or more computer programs thatwhen executed perform methods of the present technology need not resideon a single computer or processor, but may be distributed in a modularfashion amongst a number of different computers or processors toimplement various aspects of the present technology.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms. The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” As used herein,the terms “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner”and “outer” designate directions in the drawings to which reference ismade.

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims aswell as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention hasbeen described in its exemplary forms with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of has beenmade only by way of example and numerous changes in the details ofconstruction and combination and arrangement of parts may be employedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A germicidal disinfection apparatus comprising: aportable housing; one or more emitters being contained within theportable housing, the one or more emitters being operably configured toemit an emission of radiation at a first wavelength, a second wavelengthand a third wavelength, wherein the first wavelength comprises awavelength in the range of 200 to 280 nanometers, wherein the secondwavelength comprises a wavelength in the range of 280 to 405 nanometers,wherein the third wavelength comprises a wavelength greater than 405nanometers; and a controller operably engaged with the one or moreemitters to pulse an emission of radiation comprising one or more of thefirst wavelength, the second wavelength and the third wavelengthaccording to one or more control parameters, wherein the one or morecontrol parameters comprise parameters for dynamically configuring theemission of radiation to comprise a single band radiation emission, adual band radiation emission or a multi-band radiation emission.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more control parameters compriseparameters for selectively modulating a duty cycle and phase of the oneor more emitters.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising atleast one dual-band or multi-band radiation sensor communicably engagedwith the controller.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising atleast one occupant sensor communicably engaged with the controller. 5.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the one or more control parameterscomprise parameters for modulating one or more of the first wavelength,the second wavelength and the third wavelength at two or more timepointsduring a duration of pulsing the emission of radiation.
 6. The apparatusof claim 3 wherein the one or more control parameters compriseparameters for modulating one or more of the first wavelength, thesecond wavelength and the third wavelength in response to an input fromthe at least one dual-band or multi-band radiation sensor.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 4 wherein the one or more control parameters compriseparameters for modulating one or more of the first wavelength, thesecond wavelength and the third wavelength in response to an input fromthe at least one occupant sensor.
 8. A germicidal disinfection systemcomprising: a portable housing; a first emitter operably configured toemit an emission of radiation at a first wavelength, wherein the firstwavelength is in the range of 200 to 280 nanometers, a second emitteroperably configured to emit an emission of radiation at a secondwavelength, wherein the second wavelength is in the range of 280 to 405nanometers, a third emitter operably configured to emit an emission ofradiation at a third wavelength, wherein the third wavelength is greaterthan 405 nanometers, wherein the first emitter, the second emitter, andthe third emitter are operably configured to comprise an array, whereinthe first emitter, the second emitter, and the third emitter are coupledto the housing; a controller operably engaged with the first emitter,the second emitter, and the third emitter to pulse an emission ofradiation comprising one or more of the first wavelength, the secondwavelength and the third wavelength according to one or more controlparameters, wherein the one or more control parameters compriseparameters for dynamically configuring the emission of radiation tocomprise a single band emission, a dual band emission or a multi-bandemission; and at least one dual-band or multi-band radiation sensorcommunicably engaged with the controller, wherein the at least onedual-band or multi-band radiation sensor is configured to receivereflected radiation from one or more of the first emitter, the secondemitter, and the third emitter and communicate a sensor input comprisinga measure of the reflected radiation to the controller.
 9. The system ofclaim 8 wherein the one or more control parameters comprise parametersfor selectively modulating a duty cycle and phase of the first emitter,the second emitter, and the third emitter.
 10. The system of claim 8further comprising at least one occupant sensor communicably engagedwith the controller.
 11. The system of claim 8 wherein the one or morecontrol parameters comprise parameters for independently engaging eachof the first emitter, the second emitter, and the third emitter.
 12. Thesystem of claim 8 wherein the one or more control parameters compriseparameters for modulating an emission of one or more of the firstemitter, the second emitter, and the third emitter in response to aninput from the at least one dual-band or multi-band radiation sensor.13. The system of claim 10 wherein the one or more control parameterscomprise parameters for modulating an emission of one or more of thefirst emitter, the second emitter, and the third emitter in response toan input from the at least one occupant sensor.
 14. The system of claim11 wherein the one or more control parameters comprise parameters fordynamically modifying an output of the first emitter, the secondemitter, and the third emitter at two or more time points during aspecified emission duration.
 15. A germicidal disinfection systemcomprising: a portable housing; a plurality of emitters coupled to theportable housing, the plurality of emitters being configured to emit anemission of radiation at two or more wavelengths, wherein the two ormore wavelengths comprise a first wavelength in the range of 200 to 280nanometers and a second wavelength that is greater than 400 nanometers;a controller operably engaged with the plurality of emitters to pulse anemission of radiation comprising the two or more wavelengths accordingto one or more control parameters, wherein the one or more controlparameters comprise parameters for pulsing a first emission of radiationcomprising the first wavelength for a first duration and pulsing asecond emission of radiation comprising the second wavelength for asecond duration, wherein the first duration and the second duration areconcomitant or sequential.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the two ormore wavelengths comprise a third wavelength in the range of 280 to 405nanometers.
 17. The system of claim 15 wherein the one or more controlparameters comprise parameters for selectively modulating a duty cycleand phase of each emitter in the plurality of emitters.
 18. The systemof claim 15 further comprising at least one dual-band or multi-bandradiation sensor communicably engaged with the controller.
 19. Thesystem of claim 15 further comprising at least one occupant sensorcommunicably engaged with the controller.
 20. The system of claim 18wherein the one or more control parameters comprise parameters formodulating the two or more wavelengths in response to an input from theat least one dual-band or multi-band radiation sensor.